The AAP raised over Rs.50 lakh at a fund raising lunch organised by party's traders' wing here Sunday ahead of likely assembly polls in February.

 

 

 At the event, organised at a restaurant in central hub Connaught Place, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal promised "to rationalise Value Added Tax (VAT) in Delhi by reducing it on goods in which it is higher in comparison to other states, particularly neighboring states".

 

 A total of 125 traders from various parts of the capital were present at the launch where each plate was for Rs.20,000. Previously, the AAP had collected Rs.91 lakh by hosting a dinner in Mumbai.

 

 Outlining party's vision for traders of Delhi, Kejriwal said that the AAP would make Delhi a "trading powerhouse" by creating a trader-friendly environment.

 

 The former chief minister said that the rationalisation of VAT would help the consumers and traders, while asserting the AAP is committed to simplify the procedure of payment of this tax.

 

 Also promising to initiate online payment of VAT for convenience of traders, he also assured the traders that his party will abolish raids by VAT department inspectors which are carried in the name of sudden visits, if the AAP was voted to power.